Is Tysabri available in Canada?

[better2gether]

I unfortunately heard news today that because of several problems encountered with Tysabri in trials conducted at the MS Clinic in Calgary, this drug may not get approved in Canada for a couple of years now.

Health Canada is likely going to wait until many patients in the US use the drug for some time before granting approval.

Harry,

This is from nearly 1 month ago.
Do you have more information now?

Better

[HarryZ]

Better,

This is from nearly 1 month ago. Do you have more information now?

I believe it was only a couple of days later that I replied with my attempt to obtain further information from the Calgary MS Centre.

I called the clinic and was able to verify the nurse clinician who supposedly made the comments did indeed work there. I asked for her email address which was given to me.

I emailed the nurse and explained that I had been advised by a friend that comments of Tysabri safety concerns at the Calgary MS Clinic had been made by her at a recent gathering of MS professionals. I asked if she could elaborate any on this without breaking any kind of confidentiality rules she may have had.

Needless to say, because this person didn't know me from Adam, the reply I got could not have been any more generic and standard. My question was not answered in any way and I was told that Tysabri had been in trials and that Health Canada would be looking at possibly approving it in the future! That's it. End of reply.

I followed up with my contact and was told that it probably wasn't a good idea to go back directly to this person in the manner that I did. Often, this information is shared between individuals and not meant for public release. Let's say that I learned my lesson in this particular situation and have not pursued it further.

I have no idea if what happened in Calgary had any connection as to what happened to Tysabri in the long run.

Harry

[HarryZ]

Meadow,

Despite the overwhelming evidence from clinical trials and anecdotes from MS sufferers, you continue to use innuendo to attempt to cast a shadow over Tysabri. You are relentless and one must wonder why...

Accidently came across this message again today when searching for another reply that I was asked about.

Although I attempted to answer your comment the same day, I trust the information posted by Biogen on Feb 28 answers your concern about me far better than I ever can.

Harry

[better2gether]

What I was told today was there were problems with "side effects" and "complications". The report originated on the MS Cruise that took place last week and was given by a person employeed by the MS Clinic, Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Harry,

Perhaps if you see this person again, you can ask for more recent information.

Regards

Better

[HarryZ]

Better

Perhaps if you see this person again, you can ask for more recent information.

I already have gone back to the person who gave me the initial info and was told there is nothing more to add than what the person from Calgary told the people in the group.....that there were some safety concerns and "problems" during the trial. It wouldn't make any sense to go back to the Calgary nurse since she basically told me, politely, that I would be receiving nothing more from her .....and that was basically nothing!

It's frustrating to know that something is out there but you can't get your hands on it but at the same time I can understand why the Calgary nurse wouldn't share this kind of info with someone she does not know. I guess it was some wishful thinking on my part but certainly not a good political move by me.

Harry